Couvent des Thorins, Moulin-à-Vent – 2017
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Vineyard Profile
- Vineyards: Specific granitic soils (gorrhe), laying over deeper soils rich in manganese and metalic oxides. The powerful winds blowing on the appellation have a decisive impact on the the maturation and concentration of the fruit.
- Viticulture: Lutte raisonnée (“reasoned protection”): natural soil amendments, manual weed control and integrated pest management
- Vine Age: 40 year old vines
- Density: 10,000 vines/hectare
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Vintage Report
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2017 was a difficult vintage. An optimal start to the growing season was disrupted by untimely hail in July. This resulted in a lower than usual yield (10hl/ha). The wines are concentrated, dense, spicy and powerful.
- Harvest Date(s): Manual harvest from September 6–13, in small 30-liter containers; one sorting table positioned before the destemmer.
- Yields: 10 hectoliters per hectare. This is less than 1 ton per acre. (Normal yields in the region are 45-50 hl/ha, while the maximum authorized is 52 hl/ha.)
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Vinification
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20% full cluster; pumping-over during cold prefermentation soak and at the end of fermentation to increase roundness and finesse. Punching the cap at the beginning of fermentation; 21 days extraction to bring out the full potential of the terroirs.
- Aging: 100% stainless steel for 16 months
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Gamay Noir
- Alcohol: 13%
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Tasting Notes
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Light, slightly earthy bouquet; medium-bodied with supple ripe tannins; rich palate of fresh dark fruits. An immediate pleasure, this wine is ready to drink now.
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Images
Reviews
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent Couvent des Thorins, Moulin-à-Vent – 2017 – Wine & Spirits – 90 Points
This is a blend of fruit from three parcels exposed to the wind; their thick-skinned grapes produced a generously rich wine in 2017. Although only 20 percent aged in barrel, the oak is apparent, melding with the silky tannins, blunting the finish for now. It would open up in the company of a steak.
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent Couvent des Thorins, Moulin-à-Vent – 2017 – Vinous – 91 Points
Opaque ruby. Powerful cherry and blackberry aromas pick up smoky mineral and floral qualities as the wine opens up. Weighty, in the manner of the vintage, but showing very good energy as well, offering gently sweet black currant, cherry and violet pastille flavors that firm up slowly on the back half. Dusty tannins come in late on the finish, which hangs around with suave floral and spice notes. This wine is quite civilized both for the appellation and for the vintage.